This is the kind of film that looks absolutely marvellous until the actors open their mouths.

The credit sequence of lights on a hillside, followed by a thrillingly shot and cunningly edited manhunt sequence, promises a stylish slice of Sherwood - until the dialogue begins, a strange mixture of vulgarity and Lincoln Greenery.

Patrick Bergin and Uma Thurman as Robin and Maid Marian show enough spirit to get the better of it at times, but Jürgen Prochnow and Jeroen Krabbé are bludgeoned into uncharacteristic, ludicrous over-acting, only half-trying to make sense of such lines as 'Sometimes, you're so wet one could shoot snipe off you'; they even have to concede the laurels for worst supporting actor to Edward Fox's Prince John, who bags the honour in one short appearance.